Adjustable fluid-fillable exercise weights

ABSTRACT

A weight container, which includes an adjustable calibrating bellow including two outer ribs and at least one inner rib; wherein the outer ribs may collapse and fold around the inner rib; a locking apparatus located adjacent to one outer rib; and a cover receiving apparatus located adjacent to the other outer rib. Further, a pair of weight containers may be connected to a crossbar to define an exercise apparatus. The weight container may further be adapted to engage a base to define a drinking apparatus.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/120,510, filed Dec. 8, 2008, which is incorporatedherein by reference.

FIELD

The current disclosure is generally directed at exercise weights andmore specifically at adjustable fluid fillable exercise weights.

BACKGROUND

In any weight training program, it is desired to have a variety ofdumbbells or barbells in which the end weight portions can beselectively increased by integral increments. The hand-held exercisedevices provided in the prior art are not entirely satisfactory for thispurpose, either from the point of view of non-collapsibility (i.e. of afluid refillable exercise apparatus including a fluid filling scale) orof collapsibility, but without any readily measurable and reproducibleweight increment on adding fluid to the device.

For those individuals who exercise in a swimming pool, adjustable airfilled buoyancy resistance weights are used. These are typically air orwater fillable weights. Other individuals may wish to engage inhydrotherapeutic form of exercise and require an adjustable weight thatwould not damage the surroundings when dropped.

Therefore, there is provided a novel adjustable fluid-filled exerciseweight.

SUMMARY

There is a need for an adjustable fluid-filled exercise weight thatovercomes some of the disadvantages of the prior art. There is a furtherneed to have a handheld exercise weight that is collapsible for easymoving and storage. There is a further need for an exercise weight thatmay be filled with either water or another fluid for the purpose ofhydration during exercise. There is also a need for an exercise weightto be made of flexible food grade material that will not break or causethe breaking of other objects when dropped.

In one aspect, there is provided a fluid fillable weight containercomprising: an adjustable calibrating bellow including two outer ribsand at least one inner rib; wherein the outer ribs may collapse and foldaround the inner rib; locking apparatus located adjacent to one outerrib; and a cover receiving apparatus located adjacent to the other outerrib.

In another aspect, there is provided an exercise apparatus comprising: apair of weight containers; and a crossbar for connecting the two weightcontainers; wherein each of the weight containers includes an adjustablecalibratable cylindrical bellow and a locking apparatus adapted toengage the crossbar.

In a further aspect, there is provided A drinking apparatus comprising;a weight container; and a base; wherein the weight container includes anadjustable calibrating cylindrical bellow and a locking apparatusadapted to engage the base.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way ofexample only, with reference to the attached Figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of an adjustable fluid fillable exerciseweight in expanded form according to one embodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view an adjustable fluid fillableexercise weight in a semi-collapsed form according to one embodiment;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an adjustable fluid fillableexercise weight in a fully collapsed form according to one embodiment;

FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of an adjustable fluid fillableweight according to one embodiment;

FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of a drinking cap cover attached to anadjustable fluid fillable weight according to one embodiment;

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an exercise weight incollapsed form according to one embodiment;

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the exercise weight inexpanded form according to one embodiment;

FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the exercise weight insemi-collapsed form according to one embodiment;

FIG. 9 illustrates a mating plate according to one embodiment of theadjustable fluid fillable exercise weight;

FIG. 10 illustrates a weight container of the adjustable fluid fillableexercise weight in collapsed;

FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional view of the weight container of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 illustrates a weight container of the adjustable fluid fillableexercise weight in an semi-collapsed form;

FIG. 13 shows a cross-sectional view of the weight container of FIG. 12;

FIGS. 14 illustrate a weight container of the adjustable fluid fillableexercise weight in an expanded form;

FIG. 15 shows a cross-sectional view of a cover for the adjustable fluidfillable exercise weight according to one embodiment;

FIG. 16 illustrates a weight container in expanded form in a baseaccording to an alternative embodiment;

FIG. 17 illustrates a weight container in collapsed form in a base; and

FIG. 18 illustrates a perspective view of a base.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is an aspect of the invention to provide easily portable and packabledumbbell/barbell equipment, which can be assembled and reproduciblyfilled with water or another fluid to a desired weight.

Weight lifting equipment according to the present adjustable fluidfillable exercise weights may be particularly useful for exercising atthe beach, where water is readily available and the lightness andportability of the equipment is advantageous. Similarly, the ease ofadjustability of the variable weight levels make adjustable fluidfillable exercise weights ideal for carrying out a graded workout besidea swimming pool or in other locations where water is easily accessed.

The present adjustable fluid fillable exercise weight may also bebeneficial for a traveler having arrived at a hotel room and may find itdesirous to carrying out weight lifting exercises. The traveler canunobtrusively assemble the dumbbell or barbell, fill the weightcontainers to desired calibrated levels and later empty the adjustablefluid fillable exercise weight containers and pack the apparatus away.

Power walkers may also use these adjustable fluid fillable exerciseweights and have the ability to consume a hydrating beverage from one ofthe weight containers as they are exercising. When desired, a powerwalker or other exerciser may consume some of the beverage and thenpartially or fully collapse the weight container. When collapsed theexcess air may be dispelled and the weight may remain balanced as thebeverage or fluid remains steady and may not slosh or splash aroundwithin the weight container.

In one aspect, the adjustable fluid fillable exercise weights may beused in hydrotherapy warm water thermogenics, a form of physicalactivity in a warm water environment such as a shower or bath.Hydrotherapy may create a thermogenic response to both muscles andjoints, potentially making motion easier and producing beneficialphysical results. The adjustable fluid fillable exercise weights may bemade of a material that will not cause damage to the surroundingenvironment when used for this purpose.

Turning to FIG. 1, a side view of an adjustable fluid fillable exerciseapparatus in an expanded position is shown. The apparatus 10 includes acrossbar 12 or handle, located between a pair of weight containers 14,seen as weight containers 14 a and 14 b. The crossbar 12 is connected toeach weight container 14 a and 14 b through a locking means at one endof the weight containers to form a traditionally shaped dumbbell, whichmay be used by an individual for exercising or for therapeuticactivities. The weight containers 14 may be filled with a desired amountof water or other fluid to provide the required resistance for theindividual wishing to exercise.

Connection between the crossbar 12 and the weight containers 14 may bedone in any number of ways including a screw and threading technique, abutton locking technique, or, as in the current embodiment, the crossbar12 may be locked in place via complementary parts on the crossbar 12 andthe weight container 14, which is described in further detail below.Each weight container may also be closed by a cover, which may include adrinking cap 22, screw cap or the like, to ensure that fluid added tothe weight container remains in the apparatus until a user chooses toempty it.

Each weight container 14 has a cylindrical bellow 16, which may have twoouter ribs 18 a and 18 b and at least one inner rib 20. The outer ribs18 may be expanded or contracted around the at least one inner rib 20 byway of a hinge line. The weight container 14 is a singular cavity, whichcan be compressed and decompressed in order to control both the overallsize and weight of the apparatus 10. Each outer rib 18 may collapse orfold around the inner rib 20 when an individual applies pressure to thebellow 16. FIG. 2 illustrates the adjustable fluid fillable exerciseapparatus 10 with in a semi-collapsed position; while FIG. 3 illustratesthe adjustable fluid fillable exercise apparatus 10 in a fully collapsedposition, with the inner rib 20 hidden within the outer ribs 18. Afteruse, the bellow may be collapsed and the empty weight containers can betaken off the crossbar, packed and carried around in a suitcase or thelike.

Each outer rib 18 may have a larger diameter than the inner rib 20 and,in a preferred embodiment, may be molded with the same amount of plasticas the inner rib 20. As each outer rib 18 is larger than the inner rib20, the plastic must stretch farther to mold the outer rib 18 than theinner rib 20. This process may create a thicker and more rigid inner rib20. When pressure is applied to the top or bottom of the bellow 16, themore rigid inner rib 20 forces the thinner outer ribs 18 to collapseinward (actuate) as the inner rib 20 maintains its shape. Preferably,the weight container 14 will be blow molded but other molding methodsmay be used.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of the adjustable fluid fillableexercise apparatus 10. Each end of the crossbar 12 is connected to amating plate 24 by at least one fastener 26 which may include screws,nuts and bolts or the like. In the alternative the mating plate 24 maybe integrated with the crossbar 12 so that the crossbar and the matingplate are one molded part.

Each weight container 14 contains the bellow 16, a locking means 28 anda cover receiving means 30 surrounding an inlet/outlet port 32. Asillustrated, the cover may be a drinking cap 22, which may be adapted toengage the cover receiving means 30. For example, the cover receivingmeans 30 may be a threaded portion on the weight container 14, which maythreadibly engage the cover. In the alternative the cover may snap ontothe cover receiving means 30.

In the illustrated drinking cap embodiment, a seal 34 is recessed withinthe cover 22 to further reduce the chances of the fluid leaking from theweight container 14. The seal may be a rubber gasket or be made of arubberized material or the like. In the alternative, the cover may besealed by way of an interface fit, comprising a plastic tapered conethat is adapted to fit tightly within a smaller plastic orifice. Thissealing method may allow for a plastic-to-plastic watertight sealwithout any need for a secondary sealing device.

The drinking cap cover 22 may further include a control or pressurevalve such as a drinking valve 36. The drinking valve 36 allows thefluid contained within the weight container 14 to be consumed. In analternative cap design, other pressure valves, which may assist incontrolling the fluid and air release between the expanded,semi-collapsed and fully collapsed positions of the bellow 16, may beused.

As an improvement over prior art apparatus, the crossbar 12 may beattached to the outside of the weight containers 14 and does not have topass through the weight itself; thereby, allowing for only a singlecavity bellowed weight container. In this manner, the method ofcalibrating the weight levels of the apparatus 10 is also different fromknown systems. As there is only a single cavity, the individual bellow16 folds within the weight container 14 when it is compressed, therebyminimizing the amount of force needed to expel the internal fluid orair. The single cavity also allows the bellow 16 of the individualweight container 14 to fold and pressure lock within the weightcontainer and allows both excess air and water to be released, whennecessary or required. With the control valve 36, the expulsion of thefluid is controlled so that the correct amount of fluid is expelledduring the calibration process. For instance, without the control valve36, it would be difficult to control the amount of fluid being expelledso that the expected weight is possibly not achieved. However, if anexact weight measurement is not required, the inlet/outlet port 32 canbe closed with a cover, as suggested above. Where exact weightmeasurement is required, the control valve provides a convenient way toobtain a more accurate weight measurement.

FIG. 5 illustrates the front view of the drinking cap cover 22 attachedto the weight container 14. The drinking cap 22 includes the drinkingvalve 36, which provides a convenient opening to allow the user theability to drink the fluid within the weight container 14. The drinkingcap may further comprise a plurality of recesses 38, which may aid auser in attaching and removing the cap by providing finger locations forscrewing on and off the cover 22.

FIGS. 6 to 8 illustrate cross-sectional views of the exercise weight inexpanded, collapsed and semi-collapsed forms. From these views themethods required for collapsing and expanding the bellows 16 arediscernible. Preferably, the bellows 16 should be made of food gradeplastic, and more specifically the food grade plastic may be dishwasherand microwave safe and may be able to withstand temperatures of 220° F.,the boiling point of water.

FIG. 9 illustrates the mating plate 24 according to an embodiment whereit is not integrated with the crossbar. The mating plate 24 may compriseof at least one opening 40 adapted to engage a fastener. The opening 40of the mating plate may be aligned with a similar opening molded withinthe crossbar 12. A further aperture 42 is included and adapted to engagethe locking means 28 of the weight container 14.

When the crossbar 12 is connected to the mating plate 24, the aperture42 may then be mated with the locking means 28 of the weight container14 and locked into place by a quarter or half turn or rotation. Otherlocking means are also contemplated.

FIG. 10 illustrates the weight container 14 of the exercise apparatuswith the bellow 16 in the collapsed position. FIG. 11 shows across-sectional view of the weight container 14 of FIG. 10. Thesefigures show the two outer ribs 18 collapsed around the inner rib 20.The inner rib 20 is fully incorporated within the outer ribs 18 but, asthe inner rib 20 is thicker and more rigid than the outer ribs 18, itwill not collapse and instead maintains its form. When pressure by auser is exerted on the bellow 16 to collapse a rib, the thinner plasticof the outer rib 18 allows it to collapse and fold in around the innerrib 20. In this collapsed form, the weight container will hold the leastamount of fluid and make for a lighter exercise apparatus than whenexpanded and filled. When empty the adjustable fluid fillable exerciseapparatus may be more compact and easier to transport.

The locking means 28 include an abutment that is designed to mate withthe aperture 42 of the mating plate and lock into place with a partialturn. Alternatively the locking means 28 of the weight container 14 andaperture of the mating plate may be threaded and the weight containermay be locked into the crossbar by screwing the weight container intightly.

FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate the weight container 14 with the bellow 16 ina semi-compressed position with only one of the two outer ribs 18compressed, while FIG. 14 illustrates the weight container 14 with thebellow 16 fully expanded. Each weight container 14 may provide for atleast four separate weight settings. Neither collapsing nor expandingthe bellow 16 will impede the function of either the cover receivingmeans 30 or locking means 28 of the weight container 14.

In one example, when both bellows of the apparatus are fully expandedand filled with fluid, the apparatus will weigh approximately 3 pounds.When one outer rib 18 on each weight container 14 is compressed theweight may be close to 2.1 lbs. When the second outer rib on each weightcontainer is compressed the weight may be diminished to about 1.6 lbs.When the weight container is empty of fluid the adjustable fluidfillable exercise apparatus may weigh approximately 0.5 lbs. Otherweight configurations are possible by changing the size or circumferenceof the bellow and/or the volume of the weight container cavity.

In order to fill the weight containers and make the apparatusoperational, each bellow 16 may be expanded to the desired level. Theinlet/outlet port 32 is uncovered and the weight container 14 is filledwith a fluid such as water. The weight containers 14 may be filled priorto being attached to the crossbar 12 or after they have been locked intoplace.

After the weight container is filled, the cover is removably attached tothe cover receiving means 30, so that the fluid can not escape. As shownin FIG. 15, the inside of the drinking cap cover 22 or other cover maycontain a threading 44 that will allow it to be threadibly attached tothe weight container 14. Other means for attaching the cover to theweight are contemplated.

If the user determines that the weight is too heavy and wishes to reducethe amount of fluid in the weight container 14, the control valve 36 orcover may be opened and an outer rib 18 compressed to expel the extrafluid and air. After the desired weight has been achieved, the controlvalve or cover may be closed so that no more water or liquid can escape.Other materials such as sand may also be used to fill the weights. Ifsand is used, the control valve will be sized accordingly.

As will be understood, depending on the maximum weight of the individualweights, the manufacture of the crossbar 12 is predetermined andpreferably proportional to this maximum weight.

FIGS. 16 to 18 illustrate an alternative embodiment that provides for abase for the weight container. Once attached, the device may be used asa re-usable collapsible beverage container. The base 46 may attach tothe weight container 14 through a similar locking manner as describedabove with reference to the exercise apparatus. The base 46 may containan aperture 48 that is adapted to engage the locking means 28 of theweight container 14. Once the locking means 28 is inserted into theaperture 48, the user may turn or rotate the weight container 14 to lockit into place. Other locking means are contemplated including a screwand threading technique or a button lock technique.

As a beverage container, the device may be filled with either a hot orcold beverage. The circumference of the bottom of the base 46 is greaterthan that of the locking means abutment and may be equal or greater thanthe circumference of the outer rib. The size of the bottom of the base46 may provide for greater stability when the device is used as abeverage container.

In another embodiment, the weight container may be used as a reusablebeverage container reducing the need for plastic bottles. As the weightcontainer can be used to store a beverage for hydrating the user,further hydrating beverage containers are not required. When not beingused as an exercise apparatus, the weight container may be attached to aseparate base and serve as a re-usable and collapsible handheld beveragecontainer. In this embodiment, the weight container may be filled witheither hot or cold beverages.

In an alternative embodiment, the weight may be used in a swimming pool,lake or similar body of water without the addition of a fluid within theweight. The adjustable fluid fillable exercise weight may add resistanceby its buoyancy sufficient for the desired exercise.

The above-described embodiments are intended to be examples only.Alterations, modifications and variations can be effected to theparticular embodiments by those of skill in the art without departingfrom the scope of this application.

In the preceding description, for purposes of explanation, numerousdetails are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding ofthe embodiments of the disclosure. However, it will be apparent to oneskilled in the art that these specific details are not required in orderto practice the disclosure.

The above-described embodiments of the disclosure are intended to beexamples only. Alterations, modifications and variations can be effectedto the particular embodiments by those of skill in the art withoutdeparting from the scope of the disclosure, which is defined solely bythe claims appended hereto.

1. A weight container comprising: an adjustable calibrating bellowincluding two outer ribs and at least one inner rib; wherein the outerribs may collapse and fold around the inner rib; a locking apparatuslocated adjacent to one outer rib; and a cover receiving apparatuslocated adjacent to the other outer rib.
 2. The weight container asclaimed in claim 1 wherein the outer ribs have a larger diameter thanthe inner rib.
 3. The weight container as claimed in claim 1 wherein theweight container is made of food grade plastics.
 4. The weight containeras claimed in claim 1 wherein the cover receiving apparatus is adaptedto receive a drinking cap cover including a drinking valve.
 5. Theweight container as claimed in claim 1 wherein the locking apparatus isan abutment designed to engage a corresponding aperture.
 6. An exerciseapparatus comprising: a pair of weight containers; and a crossbar forconnecting the two weight containers; wherein each of the weightcontainers includes an adjustable calibratable cylindrical bellow and alocking apparatus adapted to engage the crossbar.
 7. The exerciseapparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein the crossbar contains a matingplate designed to engage the locking apparatus of the weight container.8. The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein the bellowincludes two outer ribs and at least one inner rib; wherein the outerribs may collapse and fold around the inner rib.
 9. The exerciseapparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein the outer ribs have a largerdiameter than the inner rib.
 10. The exercise apparatus as claimed inclaim 6 wherein the weight container is made of food grade plastics. 11.The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein the exerciseapparatus further comprises a cover designed to engage a cover receivingmeans of the weight container.
 12. The exercise apparatus as claimed inclaim 11 wherein the cover is a drinking cap cover including a drinkingvalve.
 13. A drinking apparatus comprising; a weight container; and abase; wherein the weight container includes an adjustable calibratingcylindrical bellow and a locking apparatus adapted to engage the base.